Newsbriefs

ECLEO APPEAL TO BE OPPOSED

The plan of Dinagat Island Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr. to appeal his parricide conviction is a case of “high injustice” according to a prosecutor.

“Ecleo is putting our justice system in a bad light. He is resorting to the law only when convenient to him. He is flouting  the law,” said private prosecutor  Fritz Quiñanola.

Ecleo already lost his right when  he failed to appear in his promulgation, Quiñanola added.

Defense lawyers of Ecleo didn’t show up during last week’s hearing before Regional Trial Court Judge Soliver Peras of Branch 10 but filed an appeal.

Ecleo’s camp  filed three motions in court  – a  notice of appeal, the withdrawal of defense lawyer Orlando Salatandre and a motion of appearance of his new lawyer, former Justice secretary Silvestre Bello.

The judge  gave the prosecution five days to comment on the appeal.

The prosecution was also required to respond to lawyer Orlando Salatandre’s decision to withdraw as Ecleo’s counsel and his replacement by former justice secretary Silvestre Bello III. /Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus

CITOM TO CLEAR ROADS

The Cebu City Legal Office (CLO) recommended to the City Integrated Traffic Office and Management (Citom) the clearing of public and private streets obstructions and encroachments.

These private streets were used by the general public for more than five years where there’s no record of donation at the City Assessor’s Office.

Last month, Victoriano Yap Jr., member of Citom Board, sought a legal opinion from the CLO on their office’s mandate when it comes to encroachment and squatting on city streets.

“The query was prompted  by complaints from the taxpayers whose roads are obstructed by vendors and even encroached by houses,” said Yap.

The CLO reaffirmed Citom’s mandate, together with the City Council and Squatter Protection Encroachment Elimination Division (Speed), to “vigorously assert the right to enforce regulations on the streets for the safety and welfare of its constituents and the general public.”

“However, we will give these illegal occupants notices before we make the clearing because we still abide by the law,” he added.

The CLO, however, said Citom may not have jurisdiction over private subdivisions. /Correspondent Tweeny Malinao